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Water Main Break Leaves Thousands Without Service In New Jersey

GUTTENBERG, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – A water main break left thousands of New Jersey residents without any water Thursday.

A pipe burst shortly before 6 a.m. on JFK Boulevard East near 71st Street in Guttenberg.

"I heard a very loud blast and water gushing out," property manager Franca Scudieri told CBS2's Marc Liverman. "Fast and furiously. It was amazing the water that was coming out." 

JFK Blvd. East was shut down between 69th and 74th streets and drivers were diverted. At least four bus routes had to run on detoured routes.

"Difficult. People have a schedule, they have to get to work. People have children, they have to go to school. People commute, it obviously affected their commutes, as well," said Scudieri.

The gushing water nearly submerged Albertina Penton's car.

"The car was covered from the water... up to the middle," she said. "I'm sad, I'm frustrated because I have to work."

Just before 10 a.m. SUEZ Water New Jersey said water service had been restored to most of the area, except for one apartment building and just a few homes. The company also called in water truck.

"Our community comes together in a time like this, where we go out and we bring water in for the shareholders and for the senior people across the street," resident Beth Lewinter said.

It's unclear what caused the water main break.

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